i’m settling down after the first day of preschool and sorting through hundreds of photos taken since i last posted (seriously).

and oh, this task is so much more pleasant after a generous gift of a new computer from my parents.  amazing.  thank you again.

i met my morning with a sense of calm.  a sense of purpose.  and i met my afternoon with a late lunch in bed with eliza.  and a bit of ahhhhh came over me as i remembered the feeling of everything having a place and time.  some plates can just stay in the kitchen til their time comes (and by the way, they are squeaky clean). it’s been rough finding our way apart from each other.

lots of tears and horrible tantrums.  me doubting all my parenting abilities…me questioning the life choices we’ve made to spend most of our days in different spaces.

but after a baker’s dozen of preschoolers that were as sweet as sweet can be, after rain and cool air, after a post-supper backyard fire, after listening to the republican national convention and becoming even more determined to hope instead of fear, i am feeling more defined than divided.

defined by hope.